"Let the bastards freeze in the dark"

[GirlinContempt]

Apparently standing up for your provinces ecological wellbeing, as well as the protection of a treaty is 'anti-American' and should have you kicked out of your party (spineless Liberals *sigh*)
http://winnipeg.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=mb_devils-lake-20050615

Some background on this as I sincerely doubt many people are actually aware of this outside of Manitoba and North Dakota, although the potential impact (as you will see) is fairly serious and has already resulted in seriously bad cross border relations.

Devil's Lake is a small, land locked lake in North Dakota with no natural drainage. The Bush Regime refuses to acknowledge global warming, so the origins of the problems in Devil's Lake remain locked in mystery. Since the 1990s, the lake has risen 7 meters, eclipsing its historical limits and swallowing up 28000 hectares of farmland and forcing the relocation of over 300 households. North Dakota has spent somewhere in the neighborhood of $400 million dollars on raising roadways, relocating people, and building a levee to deal with the ever increasing limits of the lake. The map below provides a fairly stark analysis of the problem:



Now, the problem. And a big one it is.

The state has decided to build an 'emergency outlet' to drain Devil's Lake into the Sheyenne River, which ultimately links up with the Red River near Fargo. It then drains into Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba.

Devil's Lake has been completely isolated for 1800 years, and is a self contained ecosystem (well, up until 10 years ago, when something that is not Global Warming caused the lake's boundaries to begin rapidly expanding). Salt, arsenic, boron, mercury and phosphorus levels are all extremely high compared to the levels found in the Hudson Bay drainage basin water bodies flowing into Lake Winnipeg, and fish diseases and bacteria within Devil's Lake are completely foreign to Lake Winnipeg. In the 1970s, Striped Bass were stocked into Devil's Lake. An aggressive predator, this fish is not present in the Hudson Bay drainage basin. The potential impact on Manitoba goes a bit beyond crippling. The US has stringent laws in place to prevent foreign biota from invading their shores and wreaking havoc, but evidently could care less if they do it other nations.

North Dakota claims the State is under no obligation to carry out an environmental impact assessment because it won't affect 'federal property interests'. True, because Canada isn't federal property. However, Manitoba, Canada and several US Groups (including the State Governments of Ohio and Minnesota) have called for environmental assessments. North Dakota refuses, in violation of the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty.

Of course, the Bush Regime sits on its collective thumbs, doing nothing. We all know international treaties mean sweet shit all to the Bush Regime, and North Dakota is a Bush Regime ally. However, the Boundary Waters treaty is a little more significant than most Americans are aware. It's the mechanism which was put in place to resolve disputes and prevent future ones regarding water quantity and quality along the border. It requires that the IJC (International Joint Commission) give all interested parties a 'convenient opportunity to be heard' on matters under its consideration. Canada has repeatedly asked the Bush Regime to refer the Devil's Lake issue to the IJC, the Bush Regime remains silent, threatening the nearly 100 year old treaty.

Finally, the Canadian government has grown some balls on the issue, and some fairly sizable ones.

"Let the bastards freeze in the dark"
-NDP MP Pat Martin

The House committee responsible for dealing with this issue, one that includes Pat Martin, has unanimously decided to take some more serious measures on this issue. While not as vocal as Pat Martin, who has advocated cutting off all exports of electricity, natural gas and oil* to the United States if the issue is not addressed, they have decided to keep such sanctions on the table as a possible method of dealing with the serial inability of the United States to recognize international treaties signed in good faith (in this case, one that is nearly 100 years old).

Since North Dakota and the Bush Regime never seem to comprehend the concept of diplomacy, maybe the only real way to deal with them is in the only language they seem to understand. The language of the bully.

*15% of US Natural Gas use depends on foreign imports. 95% of US Natural Gas imports are from Canada. US oil needs are 57% dependent on foreign imports (Strategic Reserve excluded). Canada exports 1.32 million barrels per day of crude oil (third behind Saudi Arabia and Mexico at 1.61 and 1.38 respectively), and .47 million barrels per day of Petroleum products (the largest supplier, Venezuela is second at .26).

CBC covers the issue - http://winnipeg.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=mb_devils-lake-20050615

The Sun 'editorializes' on the issue :eyes:
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/WinnipegSun/News/2005/06/16/1091075-sun.html
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/WinnipegSun/News/2005/06/15/1089196-sun.html

[getmeouttahere]

1. Wow, this is big....

let's get Ed Schultz on this...isn't he from North Dakota? Let's sic Ed on BushCo over this!

[GirlinContempt]

3. Something needs to be done

I don't want my ecology destroyed. And I don't want treaties being broken without any kind of repercussions. I mean, come ON. They refuse to admit it's global warming, refuse to do any kind of investigation into the effect it could have on the ecology, and are breaking the law.
Someone needs to get someone on this heh

[0rganism]

16. Ed Schultz still has a local ND show, right?

He's a sport fisherman, too. This could be just the thing for him to focus on.

[Hobarticus]

2. Sad thing is, the people who'll get hurt by this are you and I.

Any chance this could break open, before the '06 election?

Thanks for the info!

[GirlinContempt]

4. No idea

And you're welcome. I hope some more people read this.

[Hobarticus]

34. Thanks, this is very eye-opening...

[anitar1]

51. Bullying is the only thing Bush cabal understands.

Good luck. I am on Canada's side with this.

[Don Claybrook]

5. Thank you for the post

I didn't know anything about this, but you're right: these idiots abrogate treaties for the sport of it. I'd love to see Canada retaliate by cutting off the natural gas et al. Nothing will get their attention faster.

Are there any rivers that flow south from Canada to North Dakota? Just wondering...

[GirlinContempt]

6. You're welcome

As far as I know, no south flowing rivers

[Demonaut]

7. and Canada just joined the "axis of evil",

bush will decide there are too many "frenchies" too close to our northern border. :sarcasm:



btw, a very good post and will you keep us up to date, I doubt we'll see much about this in the US media

[GirlinContempt]

8. LOL

We beat you before, we'll do it again!

[Shadowen]

17. Hey, in Bizarro World, evil is good.

Or something.

[GirlinContempt]

9. .

[enigmatic]

10. I heard about this over the weekend

And I agree; let them freeze. Pat Martin has it right, and when I'm able vote, I'm voting NDP.

[GirlinContempt]

13. Yes!

THANK you!

[Tsiyu]

11. Very well written

and interesting. Why is this lake rising?

Why is the current US administration so stupid?

[GirlinContempt]

14. I would bet it's due to

global warming, but they wont actually look into it.

[Tsiyu]

20. I like that "something that isn't global warming"

comment. The elephant standing in the living room...

[Kool Kitty]

43. This is bad and attention should be paid.

Damn. (And your question, re the administration's stupidity? I'll assume that it's rhetorical.) ;-)

[TrogL]

12. Let's invade!

Remember what happened last time?

[GirlinContempt]

21. Boy

who doesn't

[WePurrsevere]

15. Thank you for posting this...

I had heard something about this but this is a lot more info.

We live near the St. Lawrence River, 3 miles from the border of Canada and the US in NY. We get the Canadian TV channels more then US if we're on just an antenna. Bush has been playing poke the tiger with the Canadian gov for quite awhile and from what I've heard it disgusts many up here who consider the Canadians normally good neighbors.

BushCo doesn't know the meaning of diplomacy. They think they are the biggest baddest bully on the block and therefore can do what they want. Over the years I've learned that the best way to deal with a bully is to stand up and stand firm.

If Canada wants to make a statement by pulling the plug I would suggest they do so in the early Fall or mid Spring when it would not potentially cost as many lives (hopefully those who are electrically fed health devices would have back up). It doesn't have to be for more then a day and could be done as a wake up call to get Bush's attention especially if American's know that the WHY was due to Bush twits not being diplomatic AGAIN he may very well be forced by angry American voters and his handlers to listen and act. One of my concerns would be Bush trying to label Canada as a terrorist nation for it. :eyes:

[GirlinContempt]

27. You're welcome

Though, I doubt we'll pull the plug :(

[GirlinContempt]

36. .

[HEyHEY]

18. Why can't they think of a NEW catch phrase?

[Telly Savalas]

23. Yeah. I read that and thought...

"oh shit, what have us Easterners done this time?"

[Lisa]

42. didn't Ralph Klein issue another sticker when he was mayor of Calgary

"That eastern bastard is my brother"

[annabanana]

19. B*shCo Inc. is hopeless..

I'm sorry Canada. This very unneighborly behavior on the part of our current office holder is most distressing to your friends South of the Border. We are trying to evict him and his gang, but it is a cumbersome procedure and may take time.

[frictionlessO]

22. Oooo!! My favorite hardcore Red, makes it on the greatest!!

And deservedly so, I had no idea at all.

These fuckers are insane. Again you provide me with more to research and learn.

Awesome you are, yes, yes....

[GirlinContempt]

26. Thanks

I'm glad you enjoyed it ;)

[Telly Savalas]

24. This was the big headline for the National Post today.

So the story's getting some Canadian press outside Manitoba.

Thanks for the post. As an Arrogant Toronto Asshole (TM), this is the first I've heard of this and was wondering what the Post headline was all about. (No way in hell I'd read that rightwing rag though, and I haven't made it past the number puzzle in today's Toronto Star yet.)

It's no surprise that only the NDP can be bothered to take a stand on this issue. Hopefully they can twist Mr. Dithers arm into trying to twist Bush's arm into doing something.

[GirlinContempt]

25. Wow

the post did a story?!

Well, it was probably of the same caliber as the Sun. At least it's getting some national coverage though.

[Telly Savalas]

33. The CBC's national website has a short story on it

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/06/16/devil050616.html

Since it lacks the background you offered, one doesn't get a sense of the gravity of the situation from the article.

The Globe and Mail does a bit better:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050616.wdevils0616/BNStory/International/

I can't find anything on CTV's website or in the Toronto Star.

[TrogL]

49. You need to start reading a proper newspaper

The National Post is simply a mouthpiece for the Conservative Party.

CBC radio spent 10 minutes on it last night.

[Telly Savalas]

53. "No way in hell I'd read that rightwing rag"

Read my post again.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

28. This is crazy!

what scum! Thanks for the great post and the education!!!!!! I gave a vote too!

[GirlinContempt]

45. Thanks

Glad you liked it!

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

48. i was totally in the dark about this

i hope that Canada does get the international intervention needed to stop this tragedy

[CHIMO]

50. Unfortunately

The international part consists of two countries. Canada and the USA. So if either party wants to stop, then it is finito. Toast. Gone.

[bread_and_roses]

29. What an excellent post, thank you.

Once again, I cringe in shame at the actions of this Administration.

And still, people here are in denial over the near-universality of contempt and rage these mad-persons are generating around the globe. How can they do this to CANADA? Our ally, our closest neighbor?

I hope you guys do "pull the plug" and trumpet from the rooftops WHY.

Do we have North Dakotaians here? Do they know about this?

[GirlinContempt]

37. You're welcome

thank you :)

[AX10]

30. Gee, thanks Bush.

NOT!

:argh:

America has never had a leader who put this nation into such a precarious situation.

:argh:

Damn It, we need to win back the congress next year.

[sellitman]

31. Kicked and nominated

Another Dim son legacy! Is there no end to this madness?

[GirlinContempt]

32. Thanks

[laundry_queen]

35. Dion says "We have a treaty to respect"

Too bad the other half of the treaty isn't respecting it. There is no treaty if 1/2 of said treaty isn't abiding by said treaty. :eyes:
Go Pat Martin!

I've heard of this before - but it's been awhile, I think CBC did something on it? Either that or I may have been watching the Winnipeg channel (we get that on our dish).

[elare]

38. July 1st

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the day that North Dakota wants to start this? If so, I think Canada should respond by cutting off the exports of electricity, natural gas & oil on July 4th.

[burrowowl]

39. I have bookmarked

your topic!

Thanks!

[GirlinContempt]

54. No problem

pass the info along!

[Lisa]

40. some historical background on the "freeze in the dark" comment

It's actually an historical quote -- I believe it was used a few decades ago, when Western Canada was upset about the energy policies set by the federal government. There were bumper stickers in the oil patch (e.g. around Calgary) reading "Let the eastern bastards freeze in the dark" -- directed at the power structure in Ontario and Quebec.

http://www.cbc.ca/roughcuts/feature_121102.html


So, using it in this context is actually a way of pointing out that this is another example of Western concerns not being listened to -- by the powers in Washington D.C., sure, but also because they feel Ottawa isn't doing enough to help. I don't think he is really implying that all Americans are bastards! (And the other MP who used that word last year was really referring to Bush administration officials.)

[GirlinContempt]

44. Well

of course he's not. But in this new universe, anything that could be seen as being against anything America does is anti-American. So, stop hating freedom.

[CHIMO]

46. Came From King Ralph

Margaret Atwood
Awards and Honorary Degrees
Awards

Margaret Atwood's speech is below her many awards and honourary degrees listed below.

Now it’s the wave of the past. People are realizing that if you pave everything over, if you eliminate the natural world, if you cover all ground with houses that have to be heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer, if you suck up all the water out of the ground reserves and dump it on poisoned and over-fertilized lawns, it’s like coating your own lungs with a mixture of tar and cyanide. If you want to breathe, the earth has to breathe also, despite Ralph Klein. Remember “Let those eastern bastards freeze in the dark?” Well, Ralph’s not-so-secret new slogan seems to be, “Let those eastern bastards choke in the smoke.”

http://www.oakvillegreen.com/html/atwood_bio.htm

[CHIMO]

41. Some More

Documents.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1548933

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=190x6198

It all doesn't look good.

[depakid]

47. Martin's right- this is the ONLY way to deal with America

It's the only language that the far right understands. The sooner the rest of the world starts to realize this, the better things are going to get, both here and abroad. Appealing to higher reason simply isn't an option anymore.

The irony of course is that as the economy continues to weaken under corrupt and inept Republican policies- and as the military continues to be stretched to its limits by Bush's oil war(s), the easier it becomes for countries around the world to coerce America into acting more responsibly. That may well be the only good thing to come out of this decade+ long right wing nightmare.

[GirlinContempt]

57. Sadly, it seems to be

[GirlinContempt]

52. ,

[G_j]

55. never would have known about this

this is a REALLY BAD idea!

thanks for posting

[GirlinContempt]

56. You're welcome

[bobbieinok]

58. thanks for info and background....a real eye-opener

[Igel]

59. I never know what to make of short-term changes like this.

Seriously, I remember flooding years ago (thankfully, not where I was living) where people complained about climate change, just to find out that 100 years ago the area was regularly flooded ... they built during a quiet period.

Or people in the American Rockies, distressed to find that they've developed at a time that is historically wetter than average, and may be threatened with a return to the status quo.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~ndramsey/andreas.html, allegedly from 1884, places the Devil's Lake elevation at the same as it was in 1993--which is quite strange to be honest--but says that the level had been falling quickly before 1884. Presumably, at the time intelligent people would have been talking about climate change.

The environmental consequences of trying to maintain the status quo should be avoided, the water shouldn't be drained where it will do harm.

But that doesn't really address my question, and which the Internet seems not to address. It's a fairly simple question: over the past 500-1000 years, what has been the range of variation in mean elevation above sea level for the lake?